Gardena Pass
Gardena Pass
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
292 reviews
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FoodTraveler_theworld
Bangkok, Thailand1,976 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
Stunning valley of mountain view and definitely worth to visit from March-early October. Without hiking, this spot is excellent to get amazing shot! You can see many marks on Google map, and this is the good one too. Just park nearby shop or restaurant.
Beginner driver is not recommended to drive and you can plan for lunch at hotel in this area (pls check open hour again).
Beginner driver is not recommended to drive and you can plan for lunch at hotel in this area (pls check open hour again).
Written March 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
callmehans
bavaria39 contributions
Jul 2015 • Friends
Some friends and me have been in the Dolomites for a motorcycle trip. We've been exploring the routes near Merano and Bolzano.
Once we have gone up the Sella Pass from the south, we decided to continue the beautiful ride up the Gardena Pass (which is also part of the "Sella Ring", a series of beautiful passes around the Sella Towers Group). The views on the pass are great and alike is the beautiful nature and landscape. The drive up to the 2136 meters high pass is very scenic with a view on the mountain group Pizes de Cir in the north and the Sella Group in the south/east. I would definitely recommand you to do the whole Sella Ring route by motorcycle, car or bike (if you're tough). It's terrific.
For accommodation, check out my review of the traditional, middle priced, half board Hotel "Schwarzer Adler" near Bolzano (http://tinyurl.com/q87xmdl)
Once we have gone up the Sella Pass from the south, we decided to continue the beautiful ride up the Gardena Pass (which is also part of the "Sella Ring", a series of beautiful passes around the Sella Towers Group). The views on the pass are great and alike is the beautiful nature and landscape. The drive up to the 2136 meters high pass is very scenic with a view on the mountain group Pizes de Cir in the north and the Sella Group in the south/east. I would definitely recommand you to do the whole Sella Ring route by motorcycle, car or bike (if you're tough). It's terrific.
For accommodation, check out my review of the traditional, middle priced, half board Hotel "Schwarzer Adler" near Bolzano (http://tinyurl.com/q87xmdl)
Written July 9, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lcap988
Saronida, Greece1,236 contributions
Dec 2016 • Couples
Gardena Pass is a high mountain pass in the Dolomites of the South Tyrol in northeast Italy.
At an elevation of 2,136 m above sea level, the pass connects Sëlva in the Val Gardena on the west side with Corvara in the Val Badia. The road over it comprises part of the famous Sella Ring, in which four linked passes (Gardena, Campolongo, Pordoi and Sella ) encircle the spectacular Sella Group.
We started our trip from the Val Gardena to reach the homonymous Pass. All the way up offered us fantastic landscapes and views. We did a short pit stop right on the Pass, to admire all the natural beauties there, as well as to pay a visit to the little Chapel dedicated to St. Maurice, the patron saint of the Alpini, which was built by the Val Gardena Alpinigruppe and opened during the Spring time of year 2004. We continued then our daily trip to complete the magnificent Sella Ring, all aroung the superb Sella Group, and to return in the late afternoon to the Val Gardena, via the Sella Pass. There are not enough words to define all the estonishing views, offered to us during this excursion. Simply amezing!
Not surprisingly, the Dolomites are the most beautiful UNESCO heritage!
At an elevation of 2,136 m above sea level, the pass connects Sëlva in the Val Gardena on the west side with Corvara in the Val Badia. The road over it comprises part of the famous Sella Ring, in which four linked passes (Gardena, Campolongo, Pordoi and Sella ) encircle the spectacular Sella Group.
We started our trip from the Val Gardena to reach the homonymous Pass. All the way up offered us fantastic landscapes and views. We did a short pit stop right on the Pass, to admire all the natural beauties there, as well as to pay a visit to the little Chapel dedicated to St. Maurice, the patron saint of the Alpini, which was built by the Val Gardena Alpinigruppe and opened during the Spring time of year 2004. We continued then our daily trip to complete the magnificent Sella Ring, all aroung the superb Sella Group, and to return in the late afternoon to the Val Gardena, via the Sella Pass. There are not enough words to define all the estonishing views, offered to us during this excursion. Simply amezing!
Not surprisingly, the Dolomites are the most beautiful UNESCO heritage!
Written January 27, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Geri301
Marrakech, Morocco353 contributions
Jul 2019 • Friends
The Gardena pas sis one of my favourite motorbike roads jn the Dolomites. It never disappoints. Get to the top and your breath is taken away by the stunning views just sit down and enjoy the scenery.
A bit busy in the holiday seasons and you also have speed cameras on the way up.
Definitely worth a ride 👍
A bit busy in the holiday seasons and you also have speed cameras on the way up.
Definitely worth a ride 👍
Written August 21, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
IN_Travelers47906
West Lafayette, IN4,721 contributions
Jun 2019
Passo Gardena, starts at an elevation of 5000’ and finishes at about 7000’ with a total of 17 hairpins over the distance of 5.7 miles. The average grade is 6.4%, with the highest grade being 12%.
We crossed over Passo Gardena as we were leaving the Dolomites on our way from Cortina d’Ampezzo to Innsbruck, passing through the, the endearing villages San Cassiano, and La Villa along the way. These villages are all about skiing and winter sports and I can only imagine what they must be like in the winter. We did not see any huge ski resort complexes like you see in Colorado. Instead, these towns are filled with chalets and are just beautiful. There are several options for food at the pass. Restrooms are available to paying customers only.
One thing that was true wherever we drove in the Dolomites in early June: we were constantly surrounded by motorcyclists and bicyclist, sometimes a dozen or more at a time. They were rarely out of sight and we had to remain on the alert at all times, especially of the motorcycles who would pass 3-4 at a time seemingly at will without regard to road or traffic conditions.
The chapel at the Passo Gardena (inaugurated 2004) is devoted to Saint Maurice, the patron of the Italian “Alpini”. It is very picturesque and just a short walk up from the main road.
We crossed over Passo Gardena as we were leaving the Dolomites on our way from Cortina d’Ampezzo to Innsbruck, passing through the, the endearing villages San Cassiano, and La Villa along the way. These villages are all about skiing and winter sports and I can only imagine what they must be like in the winter. We did not see any huge ski resort complexes like you see in Colorado. Instead, these towns are filled with chalets and are just beautiful. There are several options for food at the pass. Restrooms are available to paying customers only.
One thing that was true wherever we drove in the Dolomites in early June: we were constantly surrounded by motorcyclists and bicyclist, sometimes a dozen or more at a time. They were rarely out of sight and we had to remain on the alert at all times, especially of the motorcycles who would pass 3-4 at a time seemingly at will without regard to road or traffic conditions.
The chapel at the Passo Gardena (inaugurated 2004) is devoted to Saint Maurice, the patron of the Italian “Alpini”. It is very picturesque and just a short walk up from the main road.
Written August 13, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MoRod_12
Newcastle upon Tyne, UK117 contributions
Jul 2019 • Couples
We caught the bus from Selva (make sure you get the right one as two buses with same number- 471 - arrive within about 5 mins of each other and go to DIFFERENT places). We had a coffee in the Rifugio Alpini before heading down to the start of FP 654. This was an easy path to start passing through meadows and pasture with stations of the cross tosee along the way. We stopped at a seat for a snack before continuing - just after the seat the path had been diverted and became quite steep , before rejoining the original path (now 653)that was now much wider and because of loose stones very slippy. However we got down safely if a little slowly.
An alternate is to ascend the 654 from behind the souvenir shop past the small chapel until it joins the 12A and then turn left to follow this path down past the Panorama hut, or turn right to the top of the Dantercepies cable car. In fact there is a pleasent short walk down from here to the Gardena Pass and back up as just suggested if you had come from Selva via the cable car.
An alternate is to ascend the 654 from behind the souvenir shop past the small chapel until it joins the 12A and then turn left to follow this path down past the Panorama hut, or turn right to the top of the Dantercepies cable car. In fact there is a pleasent short walk down from here to the Gardena Pass and back up as just suggested if you had come from Selva via the cable car.
Written August 3, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rushil Dedhia
Mumbai, India173 contributions
Jun 2019
View view view! Popular for the famous Dolomites postcards, this place totally lives up to the expectations! Do take the cable car to get up close to the mountains. The view is terrific on both sides, the best view is from near the church at this point
Written July 8, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
simplysarahphoto
Charleston, SC64 contributions
Sep 2017 • Couples
We had the pleasure of visiting Passo Gardena in September and it is STUNNING. I saw photos of this on TA & insta & we decided to make a detour up to visit. Best decision ever!
This location is even more beautiful in person and I highly recommend it for those who want to visit less touristy places to soak in the natural beauty!
This location is even more beautiful in person and I highly recommend it for those who want to visit less touristy places to soak in the natural beauty!
Written February 20, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Julie P
brisbane Australia216 contributions
Sep 2015 • Couples
We spent 5 weeks driving Switzerland and the Dolomites and some of the roads and passes were quite terrifying in a larger vehicle (due in part to crazy drivers who assume they can take a bend on the wrong side of the road).
Having some through some quite scary passes into italy we were not sure if we should tackle Gardena Pass but decided we didn't want to miss the spectacular scenery.
We found Gardena Pass (and the adjoining passes) to be very driveable. The road never narrows to a dangerous size and most of the hairpin bends can be observed from a distance so you are aware of what is coming your way. The scenery is amazing and there are a lot of pull-ins to allow you to appreciate the view.
The only caution would be to be aware of any recent snowfalls- we were lucky that there was snow around, but the day we travelled it was sunny and warm, so the road was dry.
An unforgettable eperience.
Having some through some quite scary passes into italy we were not sure if we should tackle Gardena Pass but decided we didn't want to miss the spectacular scenery.
We found Gardena Pass (and the adjoining passes) to be very driveable. The road never narrows to a dangerous size and most of the hairpin bends can be observed from a distance so you are aware of what is coming your way. The scenery is amazing and there are a lot of pull-ins to allow you to appreciate the view.
The only caution would be to be aware of any recent snowfalls- we were lucky that there was snow around, but the day we travelled it was sunny and warm, so the road was dry.
An unforgettable eperience.
Written October 25, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
goshan
Brooklyn, NY511 contributions
Sep 2015 • Family
Loved driving here twice - once during twilight and the second time during the late morning hours, I think this is the most impressive of the Passes as you are so close to the mountains.
Written September 10, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
pnico56
Palermo, Italy8 contributions
Scusa se ti disturbo. Sto organizzando un viaggio con molte tappe per il mese di giugno. Tra gli itinerari ho inserito l'attraversamento in auto del Passo Gardena per raggiungere la Val Badia. Desideravo quindi sapere se è necessario munirsi di apposito pass.
Grazie
roberto m
Rocca di Papa, Italy250 contributions
No.non serve alcun pass
pnico56
Palermo, Italy8 contributions
Desideravo sapere se è necessario un pass per percorrere Passo di Gardena da Selva verso la Val Badia, nel mese di giugno. Grazie
187855Maria
Turin, Italy279 contributions
no non serve nessun pass
Adrian G
Island of Malta, Malta470 contributions
Hi. We will be based in Santa Cristina next july. Is it possible to do the Sella Ring of mountain passes in a day, return before sunset.
Malkoppie
South Africa1,584 contributions
I guess it depends on how you are travelling, by bus, car, bicycle or on foot. By car, definitively. Of course, you could stay busy there for weeks, but if like us, you sadly only have a day passing through, be sure to attempt it. It is one of the most beautiful areas I have ever seen.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Gardena Pass
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Gardena Pass:
- From Bolzano: Private Day Tour by car: The Heart of the Eastern Dolomites (From $1,220.50)
- Dolomiti complete starting from Cortina d'Ampezzo (From $454.91)
- Sellaronda Ski Tour (From $332.86)
- Daily tours in the Dolomites with departure and arrival in Cortina d'Ampezzo (From $493.75)
- Heart of the Dolomites starting from Cortina d'Ampezzo (From $377.24)
- Hotels near Gardena Pass:
- (0.02 mi) Rifugio Frara
- (0.07 mi) Hotel Cir
- (0.09 mi) Rifugio Cavazza Franco Al Pisciadu
- (1.50 mi) Kolfuschgerhof Mountain Resort
- (2.14 mi) Garni-Hotel Bel Vert
- Restaurants near Gardena Pass:
- (0.09 mi) Rifugio Cavazza Franco Al Pisciadu
- (0.07 mi) Ristorante dell'Hotel Cir
- (0.71 mi) Baita Panorama Huette Ristorante
- (0.52 mi) Dantercepies Mountain Lounge 2300mt
- (0.47 mi) Baita Jimmy
Gardena Pass Information
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